Program is distributing backpacks and dignity

Posted Sep 8, 2011 By EMC News

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EMC Lifestyle - While stores display exciting back-to-school advertising and mountains of brand new school supplies, thousands children in Ottawa are reminded of what they don't have. Christmas Exchange, along with other organizations in the city, is working hard to provide assistance to low-income families to help with school necessaries such as backpacks.

"Currently there are over 2,700 names on the list needing backpacks and other items essential for children to head back to school," says Marilyn Matheson, Executive Director of the Christmas Exchange. "At the present time we only have enough funds to help approximately half of these children, so we are asking the community for help."

Local retailer Giant Tiger has come forward to offer assistance by providing one hundred backpacks to Christmas Exchange, which were quickly distributed to various family houses including, the Blair Court Community House.

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Janie Aker, manager of events & community involvement at Giant Tiger, was thrilled to be a part of the distribution of backpacks.

"We've been working with the Exchange for a few years" she said "and the incredible important work that they do is completely tied to what Giant Tiger is all about: community. Seeing children receive the same back-to-school supplies, with the dignity that other kids take for granted, is absolutely fantastic."

"This is just wonderful!" exclaimed Marta Michel, youth outreach worker of the Confederation Court Community house.

"These kids rarely get the opportunity for brand new things. To be able to go on the first day of school with a new backpack and fit in with all the other kids - because that counts at this age - they just love it," Michel explained, over laughter of children taking photos with the Giant Tiger mascot. "When there is money in the household, it goes to food and basic necessities."

Two children of the community house also had their say about receiving a new backpack: "I like it, because it has my two favourite colours! I'm also going to need pencils, crayons, pens, scissors, glue, a book, an agenda, folders..." His friend quickly continued: "And erasers, and notebooks, and a ruler. When you go to school you need all these things!"

While the donation of backpacks was greatly appreciated, the main need is for financial donations, which are converted into gift certificates to Giant Tiger. The gift certificates allow parents and children to choose the items they need, and the charity gets a discount on each certificate used which allows the donations to go further.

In speaking about the lack of donations to the School Supply Assistance Program, Matheson suggested that some people may be hesitant because the charity's name is 'Christmas Exchange'. However, the agency plans to unveil a new organizational name on Sept. 13.

"We will always have a Christmas Exchange program", Matheson explained, "but we need to re-brand to better describe the programs provided all year round."

Donations for school supply assistance can be made online at www.Christmas-Exchange.com or by calling 613-226-6434.




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